*** Public Rescue Radio Recommendations ***

Fri Sep  1 06:38:19 1995
Message : #31253533    From: BILL DILLSTROM
Address : willhelm@ix.netcom.com
Group   : Usenet.rec.backcountry
Subject : Re: Rescue Radio Recommendation Wanted
Org.  : Netcom

The type of "rescue radio" that you should take along is pretty much
dependent on the type of terrain and the area of the country that your
going to explore. For instance in a desert area or a mountain region
you cant really depend upon VHF of UHF handheld radios unless your at
high elevation. This is because at these frequencies the two parties
involved must be within what is called "line of sight". Radio waves at
these wavelengths are not prone to bouncing off nearby surroundings and
finding their way over long distances. Unless you can reach a high
elevation overlooking the surrounding terrain a VHF or UHF radio wont
do you any good. It will be limited to very short distances.

 If your really in a remote area and need an emergency communication
system you  will have to rely upon a transceiver that operates on the
lower frequency spectrum. This lower frequency spectrum is used by the
government and amateur radio operators, and citizens band operators for
longer distance communication using low power. This part of the
spectrum (3-to-30 MC) takes advantage of a phenomenon known as "sky
wave" propogation. Instead of your signals just bouncing around and
traveling short distances over the surrounding terrain as is the case
with VHF/UHF, these lower frequency signals are reflected by the
ionosphere above, and can reach very long distances through their
travels before they are diminished. Therefore (assuming your
transmitting on a known frequency that is monitored for emergency
traffic and distress calls) your chances of being heard (and ultimately
helped or rescued) from the situation are signifigantly improved using
this type of radio.

  As an example, the small S-O-S transmitters used by downed pilots
since the 40's in Military service only operate on several watts of
power. But their signals can be heard many thousand of miles away
because of the fact that they operate in the HF spectrum. If these
units were using VHF or UHF frequencies they would not be heard more
than a few miles away and help is hard to find when your humndreds or
thousands of miles out in the ocean. I almost hate to say it, but your
best bet is probably a small CB type of radio (somewhere in the 3 to 5
watt range) that covers some of the standard channels and hopefully the
channel 9 emergency channel as well. CB is really an unruly area of the
radio spectrum (since the FCC quit regulating or enforcing this band)
but there is almost always someone listening on about any channel for
assistance if needed. The other reason i recommend this type of radio
is that is does have the capability of spanning long distances with a
small handheld umit that runs on internal batteries and will fit in
most backpacks easily. Remember - "safety first" but in an emergency
dont hesitate to call for help.........

                             Bill Dillstrom

                     Amateur Radio Station - KA0SCM/7

                            Las Vegas, Nevada


Fri Sep  1 08:38:27 1995
Message : #31258178    From: Paul Ferguson
Address : K5ESW@nando.net
Group   : Usenet.rec.backcountry
Subject : Re: Rescue Radio Recommendation Wanted
Org.  : News & Observer Public Access

I cannot agree with recommending a CB radio at this point in our
sunspot cycle. For the next few years a CB radio will not provide much
long distance capability. Sunspots highly influence High Frequency
communication and the ability for signals to bounce off the reflective
layers. Sunspots run in an eleven year cycle and we are approaching
the minimum part of the cycle. The reason for the cycle is not  fully
understood. The first sunspot of the new cycle was recently detected,
but the low point is an average of old and new sunspots and the low
point  is predicted to be up to a year away.

What this all means is that  long distance communication in the range
of about 20 - 30 MHz is usually not possible. It will be several years
before these bands support long distance (skip) communications  on
most days. They are only good for local communications now.

You can check this out by listening to CB radio.  It will be very
unusual to hear anything but local stations (within 10 - 20 miles)
unless one of the stations is high and provides a "line-of-sight" path
to you.  When the sunspot cycle peaks you will often hear stations
from around the world, mainly during daylight hours. The next sunspot
peak is due  in about 5 - 6 years. It will be several years before
conditions will support reliable long distance communication.

You can also check this out with amateur radio operators. Ten meters
(28 - 29 MHz) is very close to the CB band (27 MHz). Ten meters sounds
almost dead these days. You get skip conditions very rarely and only
for a brief time. I have an amateur radio station and can run 1200
watts to a directive antenna. Even this power and antenna gain will
not bounce off the reflective layers of the sky and skip out on ten
meters. It is big news  when we get a brief opening.

If you are going to use a CB radio for long distance communication,
you had better be in tune with HF propagation.

Paul Ferguson
K5ESW@nando.net


 Well said Paul, but like my original posting that you have quoted
above, CB is still going to give you a better shot at rescue (even with
our cycle in the shape it in now) using its short range capabilities
and possible openings for skywave than a VHF or UHF handi talkie that
isnt worth its salt more than a half-mile away using simplex. Ideally,
the situation would be much improved if a repeater site was within the
range of the small VHF/UHF handheld. But as you and i both know many
times this is just not the case. In addition to that, most people dont
have the knowledge to effectively use a VHF/UHF handheld in the field,
much less have access to one (unless they are hams like us of course)
for repeater operation. Finding the proper input and output
frequencies, and in some instances the proper PL tone to access a
repeater are beyond the scope of the average hiker or non-radio
literate person. I still believe that for the average person your
chances are improved with a small handheld CB than with other types of
units. The full-time year round short range capabilities (and the
periodic openings for long range communication) inherent in the CB
range still outperform the very limited distance simplex VHF/UHF
operations. Ideally, if a person plans an excursion into a very remote
or highly inaccessable area they should take the time to become
familiar with several types of communication devices which can be of
service under remote emergency conditions.

  Bill Dillstrom -- KA0SCM/7 -- Las Vegas, Nevada


In my opinion, the best rescue radio (at least among those commonly 
available to ordinary folk) is a handheld 2-meter amateur ("ham") radio 
with a telescoping 1/4 wave or 5/8 wave antenna in addition to the usual 
flexible rubber duckie antenna.  The antenna is key.  On the flat, I have 
been able to raise repeater stations 50 miles away using such gear.  From 
a local peak the range should be better.  If you're in a valley you'll likely 
have to climb out for best radio range.  An amateur radio license is 
*mandatory*.  

But don't forget the handy cellular telephone, if you might possibly be in 
range of a cell.

A CB radio is not useful for any sort of communications other than fairly 
local ones.  I've had both car-mounted and handheld CB's and could 
barely reach 5 miles.


Thu Sep  7 00:39:29 1995
Message : #31499643    From: Herndon R. Elliott
Address : helliott@traveller.com
Group   : Usenet.rec.backcountry
Subject : Re: Rescue Radio Recommendation Wanted
Org.  : House of Elliott

rocket@panix.com (mike halem) wrote:

>I would think it should have capability on VHF 121.5, UHF 243.0, and other
>frequencies likely to be monitored by rescue personnel.

I have not seen this frequency noted as being monitored by rescue
personnel.  In fact, isn't this in the aircraft AM band?  Just
wondering - fill me in - is this frequency intended for some specific
backcountry related purpose?

Also, I have seen several posts about 146.52 being monitored at
certain times during the day by search and rescue interested hams.
Seems like it was to be monitored for 10 minutes at 0700, 0900, 1100,
etc until 2200.  I have cross posted this to rec.radio.amateur.misc
which ought to bring you more info...


Herndon Elliott
Amateur Radio:  KE4KUZ (147.505Mhz or 444.575Mhz)
Internet: helliott@traveller.com (home)
Internet: helliott@losat.redstone.army.mil (work)
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